Space diversity and coding, spread-spectrum antenna and method

Abstract

A system and method for transmitting a plurality of spread-spectrum signals over a communications channel having fading. The plurality of spread-spectrum signals are radiated by a plurality of antennas, with each antenna preferably spaced by one-quarter wavelength. A plurality of receiver antennas receive the plurality of spread-spectrum signals and a plurality of fading spread-spectrum signals. Each receiver antenna is coupled to a plurality of matched filters having a respective plurality of impulse responses matched to the chip-sequence signals of the plurality of spread-spectrum signals. A RAKE and space-diversity combiner combines, for each respective chip-sequence signal, a respective plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and a respective multiplicity of detected-multipath-spread-spectrum signals, to generate a plurality of combined signals. The symbol amplitudes can be measured and erasure decoding employed to improve performance.

I claim:  
     
       1. A method for receiving data having symbols, with the data having symbols demultiplexed into a plurality of subchannels of data, with the plurality of subchannels of data spread-spectrum processed as a plurality of spread-spectrum-subchannel signals, respectively, with the plurality of spread-spectrum-subchannel signals radiated, using radio waves, from a plurality of antennas as a plurality fo spread-spectrum signals, respectively, with the plurality of spread-spectrum signals passing through a communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, at least a first spread-spectrum signal having a first channel of data arriving from a first path of the multipath, and a second spread-spectrum signal having a second channel of data arriving from a second path of the multipath, comprising the steps of: 
       receiving the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal with a plurality of receiver antennas;  
       detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, as a first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and a second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively;  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a first combined signal; and  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a second combined signal.  
     
     
       2. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of multiplexing the first combined signal with the second combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       3. The method, as set forth in  claim 1 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a third spread-spectrum signal having a third channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or a third path of the multipath, further comprising the steps of: 
       receiving the third spread-spectrum signal with the plurality of receiver antennas;  
       detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the third spread-spectrum signal, as a third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a third combined signal.  
     
     
       4. The method as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising the step of multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, and the third combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       5. The method, as set forth in  claim 3 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fourth spread-spectrum signal having a fourth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, the third path, or a fourth path of the multipath, further comprising the steps of: 
       receiving the fourth spread-spectrum signal with the plurality of receiver antennas;  
       detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fourth spread-spectrum signal, as a fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fourth combined signal.  
     
     
       6. The method as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, and the fourth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       7. The method, as set forth in claim for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fifth spread-spectrum signal having a fifth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, the third path of the multipath, the fourth path, or a fifth path, further comprising the steps of: 
       receiving the fifth spread-spectrum signal with the plurality of receiver antennas;  
       detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fifth spread-spectrum signal, as a fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fifth combined signal.  
     
     
       8. The method as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, the fourth combined signal, and the fifth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       9. A system for receiving data having symbols, with the data having symbols demultiplexed into a plurality of subchannels of data, with the plurality of subchannels of data spread-spectrum processed as a plurality of spread-spectrum-subchannel signals, respectively, with the plurality of spread-spectrum-subchannel signals radiated, using radio waves, from a plurality of antennas as a plurality fo spread-spectrum signals, respectively, with the plurality of spread-spectrum signals passing through a communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, at least a first spread-spectrum signal having a first channel of data arriving from a first path of the multipath, and a second spread-spectrum signal having a second channel of data arriving from a second path of the multipath, comprising: 
       a plurality of receiver antennas for receiving the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal;  
       a plurality of despreading devices for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, as a first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and a second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively; and  
       a plurality of combiners for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a first combined signal, and for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a second combined signal.  
     
     
       10. The system as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a multiplexer for multiplexing the first combined signal with the second combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       11. The system as set forth in  claim 9 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a third spread-spectrum signal having a third channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or a third path of the multipath, further comprising: 
       said plurality of receiver antennas for receiving the third spread-spectrum signal;  
       said plurality of despreading devices for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the third spread-spectrum signal, as a third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said plurality of combiners for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a third combined signal.  
     
     
       12. The system as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising a multiplexer for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, and the third combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       13. The system, as set forth in  claim 11 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fourth spread-spectrum signal having a fourth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, the third path, or a fourth path of the multipath, further comprising: 
       said plurality of receiver antennas for receiving the fourth spread-spectrum signal;  
       said plurality of despreading devices for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fourth spread-spectrum signal, as a fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said plurality of combiners for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fourth combined signal.  
     
     
       14. The system as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising a multiplexer for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, and the fourth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       15. The system, as set forth in  claim 13 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fifth spread-spectrum signal having a fifth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or the third path of the multipath, the fourth path, or a fifth path, further comprising: 
       said plurality of receiver antennas for receiving the fifth spread-spectrum signal;  
       said plurality of spread-spectrum detectors for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fifth spread-spectrum signal, as a fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said plurality of combiners for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fifth combined signal.  
     
     
       16. The system set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising a multiplexer for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, the fourth combined signal, and the fifth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       17. A system for receiving data having symbols, with the data having symbols demultiplexed into a plurality of subchannels of data, with the plurality of subchannels of data spread-spectrum processed as a plurality of spread-spectrum-Subchannel signals, respectively, with the plurality of spread-spectrum-subchannel signals radiated, using radio waves, from a plurality of antennas as a plurality fo spread-spectrum signals, respectively, with the plurality of spread-spectrum signals passing through a communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, at least a first spread-spectrum signal having a first channel of data arriving from a first path of the multipath, and a second spread-spectrum signal having a second channel of data arriving from a second path of the multipath, comprising: 
       receiver-antenna means for receiving the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal;  
       despreading means, coupled to said receiver-antenna means, for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, as a first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and a second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively; and  
       combiner means, coupled to said despreading means, for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a first combined signal, and for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a second combined signal.  
     
     
       18. The system as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising multiplexer means for multiplexing the first combined signal with the second combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       19. The system as set forth in  claim 17 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a third spread-spectrum signal having a third channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or a third path of the multipath, further comprising: 
       said receiver-antenna means for receiving the third spread-spectrum signal;  
       said despreading means for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the third spread-spectrum signal, as a third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said combiner means for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a third combined signal.  
     
     
       20. The method as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising multiplexer means for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, and the third combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       21. The system, as set forth in  claim 19 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fourth spread-spectrum signal having a fourth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, the third path, or a fourth path of the multipath, further comprising: 
       said receiver-antenna means for receiving the fourth spread-spectrum signal;  
       said despreading means for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fourth spread-spectrum signal, as a fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said combiner means for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fourth combined signal.  
     
     
       22. The system as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising multiplexer means for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, and the fourth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       23. The system, as set forth in  claim 21 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fifth spread-spectrum signal having a fifth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or the third path of the multipath, the fourth path, or a fifth path, further comprising: 
       said receiver-antenna means for receiving the fifth spread-spectrum signal;  
       said despreading means for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fifth spread-spectrum signal, as a fifth plurality detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said combiner means for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fifth combined signal.  
     
     
       24. The system as set forth in  claim 23 , further comprising multiplexer means for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, the fourth combined signal, and the fifth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       25. A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) method improvement, for transmitting data having symbols, over a communications channel, comprising the steps of: 
       demultiplexing the data into a plurality of subchannels of data;  
       spread-spectrum processing the plurality of subchannels of data, thereby generating a plurality of spread-spectrum- subchannel signals, respectively;  
       radiating from a plurality of antennas, using radio waves, the plurality of spread-spectrum-subchannel signals, over the communications channel, as a plurality of spread-spectrum signals, respectively;  
       imparting, from the communications channel, multipath on the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating at least a first spread-spectrum signal having a first channel of data arriving from a first path of the multipath, and a second spread-spectrum signal having a second channel of data arriving from a second path of the multipath;  
       receiving the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal with a plurality of receiver antennas;  
       detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, as a first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and a second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively;  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a first combined signal; and  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a second combined signal.  
     
     
       26. A The method as set forth in  claim 25 , further comprising the step of multiplexing the first combined signal with the second combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       27. The method, as set forth in  claim 25 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, with a third spread-spectrum signal having a third channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or a third path of the multipath, further comprising the steps of: 
       receiving the third spread-spectrum signal with the plurality of receiver antennas;  
       detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the third spread-spectrum signal, as a third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a third combined signal.  
     
     
       28. The method as set forth in  claim 27 , further comprising the step of multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, and the third combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       29. The method, as set forth in  claim 27 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, with a fourth spread-spectrum signal having a fourth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, the third path, or a fourth path of the multipath, further comprising the steps of: 
       receiving the fourth spread-spectrum signal with the plurality of receiver antennas;  
       detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fourth spread-spectrum signal, as a fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fourth combined signal.  
     
     
       30. The method as set forth in  claim 29 , further comprising the step of multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, and the fourth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       31. The method, as set forth in  claim 29 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fifth spread-spectrum signal having a fifth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, the third path of the multipath, the fourth path, or a fifth path, further comprising the steps of: 
       receiving the fifth spread-spectrum signal with the plurality of receiver antennas;  
       detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fifth spread-spectrum signal, as a fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fifth combined signal.  
     
     
       32. The method as set forth in  claim 31 , further comprising the step of multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, the fourth combined signal, and the fifth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       33. A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) method system, for transmitting data having symbols, over a communications channel, comprising: 
       a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the data into a plurality of subchannels of data;  
       a plurality of spread-spectrum devices for spread-spectrum processing the plurality of subchannels of data, thereby generating a plurality of spread-spectrum-subchannel signals, respectively;  
       a plurality of transmitter antennas for radiating, using radio waves, the plurality of spread-spectrum-subchannel signals, over the communications channel, as a plurality of spread-spectrum signals, respectively;  
       said communications channel for imparting multipath on the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating at least a first spread-spectrum signal having a first channel of data arriving from a first path of the multipath, and a second spread-spectrum signal having a second channel of data arriving from a second path of the multipath;  
       a plurality of receiver antennas for receiving the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal;  
       a plurality of despreading devices for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, as a first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and a second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively; and  
       a plurality of combiners for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a first combined signal, and for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a second combined signal.  
     
     
       34. The system as set forth in  claim 33 , further comprising a multiplexer for multiplexing the first combined signal with the second combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       35. The system as set forth in  claim 33 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a third spread-spectrum signal having a third channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or a third path of the multipath, further comprising: 
       said plurality of receiver antennas for receiving the third spread-spectrum signal;  
       said plurality of despreading devices for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the third spread-spectrum signal, as a third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said plurality of combiners for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a third combined signal.  
     
     
       36. The system as set forth in  claim 35 , further comprising a multiplexer for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, and the third combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       37. The system, as set forth in  claim 35 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fourth spread-spectrum signal having a fourth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, the third path, or a fourth path of the multipath, further comprising: 
       said plurality of receiver antennas for receiving the fourth spread-spectrum signal;  
       said plurality of despreading devices for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fourth spread-spectrum signal, as a fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said plurality of combiners for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fourth combined signal.  
     
     
       38. The system as set forth in  claim 37 , further comprising a multiplexer for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, and the fourth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       39. The system, as set forth in  claim 37 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fifth spread-spectrum signal having a fifth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or the third path of the multipath, the fourth path, or a fifth path, further comprising: 
       said plurality of receiver antennas for receiving the fifth spread-spectrum signal;  
       said plurality of spread-spectrum detectors for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fifth spread-spectrum signal, as a fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said plurality of combiners for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fifth combined signal.  
     
     
       40. The system set forth in  claim 39 , further comprising a multiplexer for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, the fourth combined signal, and the fifth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       41. A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) method system, for transmitting data having symbols, over a communications channel, comprising: 
       demultiplexer means for demultiplexing the data into a plurality of subchannels of data;  
       spread-spectrum processing means for spread-spectrum processing the plurality of subchannels of data, thereby generating a plurality of spread-spectrum-Subchannel signals, respectively;  
       a plurality of transmitter-antenna means for radiating, using radio waves, the plurality of spread-spectrum subchannel signals, over the communications channel, as a plurality of spread-spectrum signals, respectively;  
       said communications channel for imparting multipath on the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating at least a first spread-spectrum signal having a first channel of data arriving from a first path of the multipath, and a second spread-spectrum signal having a second channel of data arriving from a second path of the multipath;  
       receiver-antenna means for receiving the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal;  
       despreading means, coupled to said receiver-antenna means, for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, as a first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and a second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively; and  
       combiner means, coupled to said despreading means, for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a first combined signal, and for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a second combined signal.  
     
     
       42. The system as set forth in  claim 41 , further comprising multiplexer means for multiplexing the first combined signal with the second combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       43. The system as set forth in  claim 41 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a third spread-spectrum signal having a third channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or a third path of the multipath, further comprising: 
       said receiver-antenna means for receiving the third spread-spectrum signal;  
       said despreading means for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the third spread-spectrum signal, as a third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said combiner means for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a third combined signal.  
     
     
       44. The method as set forth in  claim 43 , further comprising multiplexer means for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, and the third combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       45. The system, as set forth in  claim 43 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fourth spread-spectrum signal having a fourth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, the third path, or a fourth path of the multipath, further comprising: 
       said receiver-antenna means for receiving the fourth spread-spectrum signal;  
       said despreading means for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fourth spread-spectrum signal, as a fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said combiner means for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fourth combined signal.  
     
     
       46. The system as set forth in  claim 45 , further comprising multiplexer means for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, and the fourth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       47. The system, as set forth in  claim 45 , for receiving data having symbols, from the communications channel having multipath, thereby generating, from the plurality of spread-spectrum signals, a fifth spread-spectrum signal having a fifth channel of data arriving from any of the first path, the second path, or the third path of the multipath, the fourth path, or a fifth path, further comprising: 
       said receiver-antenna means for receiving the fifth spread-spectrum signal;  
       said despreading means for detecting, at each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, the fifth spread-spectrum signal, as a fifth plurality detected spread-spectrum signals; and  
       said combiner means for combining, from each receiver antenna of the plurality of receiver antennas, each of the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, thereby generating a fifth combined signal.  
     
     
       48. The system as set forth in  claim 47 , further comprising multiplexer means for multiplexing the first combined signal, the second combined signal, the third combined signal, the fourth combined signal, and the fifth combined signal, thereby generating a multiplexed signal. 
     
     
       49. The method as set forth in  claim 1  with the step of detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, responsive to a first chip-sequence signal and to a second chip-sequence signal, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       50. The method as set forth in  claim 3  with the step of detecting the third spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, responsive to a third chip-sequence signal, the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       51. The method as set forth in  claim 5  with the step of detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, responsive to a fourth chip-sequence signal, the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       52. The method as set forth in  claim 7  with the step of detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, responsive to a fifth chip-sequence signal, the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       53. The system as set forth in  claim 9  with said plurality of despreading devices, responsive to a first chip-sequence signal and to a second chip-sequence signal, for detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       54. The method as set forth in  claim 11  with said plurality of despreading devices, responsive to a third chip-sequence signal, for detecting the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       55. The system as set forth in  claim 13  with said plurality of despreading devices, responsive to a fourth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       56. The system as set forth in  claim 15  with said plurality of despreading devices, responsive to a fifth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       57. The system as set forth in  claim 13  with said despreading means, responsive to a first chip-sequence signal and to a second chip-sequence signal, for detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       58. The system as set forth in  claim 19  with said despreading means, responsive to a third chip-sequence signal, for detecting the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       59. The system as set forth in claim with said despreading means, responsive to a fourth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       60. The system as set forth in  claim 23  with said despreading means, responsive to a fifth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       61. The method as set forth in  claim 25  with the step of detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, responsive to a first chip-sequence signal and to a second chip-sequence signal, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       62. The method as set forth in  claim 27  with the step of detecting the third spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, responsive to a third chip-sequence signal, the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       63. The method as set forth in  claim 29  with the step of detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, responsive to a fourth chip-sequence signal, the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       64. The method as set forth in  claim 31  with the step of detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, responsive to a fifth chip-sequence signal, the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       65. The system as set forth in  claim 33  with said plurality of despreading devices, responsive to a first chip-sequence signal and to a second chip-sequence signal, for detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       66. The system as set forth in  claim 35  with said plurality of despreading devices, responsive to a third chip-sequence signal, for detecting the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       67. The system as set forth in  claim 37  with said plurality of despreading devices, responsive to a fourth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       68. The system as set forth in claim with said plurality of despreading devices, responsive to a fifth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       69. The system as set forth in  claim 47  with said despreading means, responsive to a first chip-sequence signal and to a second chip-sequence signal, for detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       70. The system as set forth in  claim 42  with said despreading means, responsive to a third chip-sequence signal, for detecting the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       71. The system as set forth in  claim 43  with said despreading means, responsive to a fourth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       72. The system as set forth in  claim 44  with said despreading means, responsive to a fifth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       73. The method as set forth in  claim 1  with the step of detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, using a first filter matched to a first chip-sequence signal and a second filter matched to a second chip-sequence signal, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       74. The method as set forth in  claim 3  with the step of detecting the third spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, using a third filter matched to a third chip-sequence signal, the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       75. The method as set forth in  claim 5  with the step of detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, using a fourth filter matched to a fourth chip-sequence signal, the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       76. The method as set forth in  claim 7  with the step of detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, using a fifth filter matched to a fifth chip-sequence signal, the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       77. The system as set forth in  claim 9  with said plurality of despreading devices including a first filter matched to a first chip-sequence signal and a second filter matched to a second chip-sequence signal, for detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       78. The system as set forth in  claim 11  with said plurality of despreading devices including a third filter matched to a third chip-sequence signal, for detecting the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       79. The system as set forth in  claim 13  with said plurality of despreading devices including a fourth filter matched to a fourth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       80. The system as set forth in  claim 15  with said plurality of despreading devices including a fifth filter matched to a fifth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       81. The system as set forth in  claim 17  with said despreading means including a first filter matched to a first chip-sequence signal and a second filter matched to a second chip-sequence signal, for detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       82. The system as set forth in  claim 19  with said despreading means including a third filter matched to a third chip-sequence signal, for detecting the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       83. The system as set forth in  claim 21  with said despreading means including a fourth filter matched to a fourth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       84. The system as set forth in  claim 23  with said despreading means including a fifth filter matched to a fifth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       85. The method as set forth in  claim 25 , with the step of detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, using a first filter matched to a first chip-sequence signal and a second filter matched to a second chip-sequence signal, the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       86. The method as set forth in  claim 27  with the step of detecting the third spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, using a third filter matched to a third chip-sequence signal, the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       87. The method as set forth in  claim 29  with the step of detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, using a fourth filter matched to a fourth chip-sequence signal, the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       88. The method as set forth in  claim 31  with the step of detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal, including the step of detecting, using a fifth filter matched to a fifth chip-sequence signal, the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       89. The system as set forth in  claim 33  with said plurality of despreading devices including a first filter matched to a first chip-sequence signal and a second filter matched to a second chip-sequence signal, for detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       90. The system as set forth in  claim 35  with said plurality of despreading devices, including a third filter matched to a third chip-sequence signal, for detecting the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       91. The system as set forth in  claim 37  with said plurality of despreading devices including a fourth filter matched to a fourth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       92. The system as set forth in  claim 39  with said plurality of despreading devices including a fifth filter matched to a fifth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       93. The system as set forth in  claim 41  with said despreading means including a first filter matched to a first chip-sequence signal and a second filter matched to a second chip-sequence signal, for detecting the first spread-spectrum signal and the second spread-spectrum signal as the first plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals and the second plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       94. The system as set forth in  claim 42  with said despreading means including a third filter matched to a third chip-sequence signal, for detecting the third spread-spectrum signal as the third plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       95. The system as set forth in  claim 43  with said despreading means including a fourth filter matched to a fourth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fourth spread-spectrum signal as the fourth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively. 
     
     
       96. The system as set forth in  claim 44  with said despreading means including a fifth filter matched to a fifth chip-sequence signal, for detecting the fifth spread-spectrum signal as the fifth plurality of detected spread-spectrum signals, respectively.